Memphis Grizzlies wing Cedric Coward, one of the team’s top bright spots and a strong candidate for the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team, will miss the Rising Stars Challenge due to right knee soreness.
Set to participate on Team Vince, led by honorary coach Vince Carter, Coward becomes the fourth first or second-year player who has had to bow out of the event. He sat out Wednesday’s final game before the All-Star break against the Denver Nuggets.
Rookie of the Year favorite Cooper Flagg of the Mavericks, Wizards second-year center Alex Sarr, and Thunder second-year guard Ajay Mitchell already had to bow out.
Team Austin, the fourth participating team composed of G Leaguers, has seen David Jones Garcia (Spurs) and Mac McClung (Bulls) forced out of competing.